Andes to Rio

From the peaks of the Andes to the world's most famous beach city; from one of the poorest nations to one of the richest in South America, this is an adventure to get your teeth into! Travel through the windswept Altiplano, across the Chaco of northern Argentina, to Iguazú Falls and Pantanal wetlands, culminating on the coast of Brazil for the world's best party. From the Andes to the Atlantic, you'll be smitten by the Latino way of life every step of the way.

About this tour

What you need to know

We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.

This tour is of a participatory nature and requires travellers to participate in the shopping, cooking of meals and setting up the tents whilst at campsites.

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tucan Travel rep at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.

This tour is for those aged between 18-39.

This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.

Itinerary

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Day 1 to 1 - Arrive La Paz

La Paz is built in the basin of a spectacular ancient crater caused by a meteorite, with the snow-capped Illimani in the background. At an altitude of 3,660 metres, the city is said to host the highest football stadium in the world.

The city has colourful indigenous street markets including the ‘witches market' where women in flared skirts sell, amongst other things, dead cats and llama foetuses which are placed under new buildings in a bid to keep evil spirits away. The main square, Plaza Murillo, is where many years ago a president of the republic was lynched from a lamppost. La Paz is one of the best places to see a traditional peña show of Andean music and dance where local musicians play their time-honoured instruments such as zampoñas (pipes) and charangos (ukulele).

There are plenty of excursions available in La Paz. Check out the Moon Valley with its strange rock formations shaped by the weather. Another fantastic excursion is to Coroico, the gateway to the Bolivian jungle region and a great place to see sub-tropical vegetation and plants. En-route you will cross a 5,000 metre high pass before descending to 1,300 metres on narrow mountain roads bordered by sheer drops. The excursion to Coroico can also be done by mountain bike, as it is downhill nearly all the way and very exhilarating, but beware, colloquially known as ‘Death Road’, it is not at all for the fainthearted and great care must be taken!

Please note: On arrival in Bolivia you will be required to pay an entry fee of US$10.

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sagarnaga or similar

Day 2 to 3 - Uyuni

Travelling on we head to the desolate town of Uyuní in the south of Bolivia, to visit what is claimed to be the largest salt flat in the world, the brilliantly white and vast Salar de Uyuní. We will stay two nights here and you can enjoy an included excursion onto the salar in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Explore places such as Fish Island, where there are great views of the surrounding lake and giant cacti. The fantastic contrast of the brilliant blue sky (weather permitting of course) and the pure white of the salt flats is surreal. This area proves to be a very popular place for some creative photo opportunities.

Approximate Driving Time: Nine Hour Drive

Included Excursions

Uyuni Salt Flats day trip

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hotels at Toñito Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)

Day 4 to 4 - Potosí

We now travel to Potosí, the highest city of its size on Earth at 4,070 metres, with a population of 110,000 people. The history of Potosí, its fame and splendour, as well as its tragedy and horror, is closely linked to silver. The city was founded in 1545 soon after the discovery of silver in a nearby hill, the Cerro Rico (or Rich Hill). The veins proved to be so prolific that they quickly became known as the world’s richest source of the precious metal. Silver from Potosí underwrote the Spanish economy, particularly its monarchy's extravagance, for over two centuries. Millions of indigenous people, and later, African slaves, were made to work in the mines where conditions were so appalling and dangerous that miners died in horrific numbers, either in accidents or from silicosis pneumonia. During the three centuries of colonial rule, it is estimated that eight million Africans and locals died in the Potosí mines. Reminders of the grand colonial city are still evident in the narrow streets, formal balconied mansions and ornate churches. We offer you the opportunity to visit one of the mines (optional) where you will learn from first-hand experience some of the hardship that miners still suffer. You soon realise that the mines are worked today in much the same way as they were under Spanish rule.

Approximate Driving Time: Five Hour Drive

Optional Excursions

Silver mine tour – US$15 • City tour – US$13 • Hot springs – US$15

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Jerusalem or similar

Day 5 to 5 - Tupiza

Winding our way along the dusty roads of Bolivia, which are some of the most rugged in South America, we head towards the Argentine border amidst the vividly coloured rock formations and giant cacti. We arrive at Tupiza where we will take respite from the arid surrounds and dusty road. Legend has it that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their end at the hands of the Bolivian army near Tupiza, concluding their notorious string of bank raids.

Approximate Driving Time: Five Hour Drive

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hostels at Refugio Del Turista or similar

Meals

1 Lunch(es)

Day 6 to 7 - Salta

Crossing into Argentina we drive past stunning multi-coloured sedimentary rock formations that offer beautiful photo opportunities. We arrive in the striking city of Salta in the Lerma Valley at the foothills of the Andes, established in 1582. Salta has many old colonial buildings, a cathedral with ancient statues of the Cristo del Milagro (Miracle of Christ) and the Virgin Mary, which were brought over from Spain in 1592. For an adrenaline rush you can hire mountain bikes for a couple of hours of thrilling descents or take a quad bike tour to explore less challenging terrain. For a more peaceful excursion you can stretch your legs on a trek, taking in beautiful local flora and fauna, as well as an impressive series of cascadas (waterfalls).

Optional Excursions

Accommodation

Meals

Day 8 to 10 - Cafayate

Leaving Salta we drive past lush farmlands where you may catch a glimpse of traditional subsistence farmers at work. We travel to Cafayate past scenic vineyards.

Approximate Driving Time: Four Hour Drive

Accommodation

3 night(s) camping at Luz y Fuerza or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(es), 3 Dinner(s)

Day 11 to 12 - Cordoba

Cordoba is a busy modern industrial city near the geographical centre of Argentina in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas mountains. Established in 1573, Córdoba boasts the country's oldest university and a young, dynamic student population. During the day you can visit an array of richly decorated churches, including Argentina's oldest cathedral and the Manzana Jesuitica (Jesuit Block) which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From Cordoba we have the chance to visit a traditional estancia, home to real-life cowboys.

Approximate Driving Time: Full Day Drive

Optional Excursions

Estancia excursion – From US$65

Accommodation

2 night(s) in hostels at Aldea Hostel or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)

Day 13 to 16 - Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city with lovely green parks, plazas and wide boulevards. Our hostel is an excellent location, within walking distance to many of the city's highlights and close to transport links to the rest of the city. The balcony of the presidential palace the Casa Rosada (Pink Palace) is where Eva Perón made many of her speeches and is also the place where Madonna sang, “Don't cry for me Argentina” in the film Evita. Across the Plaza de Mayo you will also find the Cabildo (the old town hall) the Palacio Municipal (City Hall) and the cathedral. Every Thursday afternoon in this plaza the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" march in remembrance of their family members who disappeared in the 1970s when the country was under military rule. There are many excellent restaurants in the Puerto Madera area and it is well worth a visit to the port of La Boca for its colourful buildings and cultural history. In nearby San Telmo, the bohemian area, there is a fascinating antique market every Sunday. The Recoleta Cemetery, almost like an enclosed city of its own, is where Eva Peron and many other rich and famous Argentines are buried - well worth a visit. The reputation of Buenos Aires' nightlife is not overstated as there are many nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas open until all hours. For a great evening out, you may want to see a tango show in the city where the dance originated, and you shouldn't leave Buenos Aires before trying one of the best steaks you’ll find in the world!

Why not get another country under your belt and catch a ferry over to Uruguay for a day trip to the fascinating town Colonia del Sacramento. Visit the historical old quarter-a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site

Accommodation

Meals

Day 17 to 17 - En route

We have a long drive day as we head to Puerto Iguazú, our gateway for the mighty Iguazú Falls.

Accommodation

1 night(s) camping

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 18 to 18 - Puerto Iguazú

Continuing on we arrive in Puerto Iguazú. Tonight, visit some of the town's bars and clubs close to our hostel before visiting the falls tomorrow.

Approximate Driving Time: Six Hour Drive

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hostels at Bambu Hostel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)

Day 19 to 20 - Foz do Iguaçu

We reach the little Brazilian town of Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls), where some 275 separate waterfalls cascade over a two-and-a-half-kilometre-wide cliff face. We first visit the stunning falls from the Brazilian side which offers panoramic views of the numerous waterfalls on the Argentine side.

For a bird's eye view over the entire falls you can take an optional scenic helicopter ride. There is also an excellent bird park nearby and you can visit the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu where videos show the environmental planning behind the dam project. If you’re keeping a keen eye on your country tally you can pop into neighbouring Paraguay by public bus (you don't even have to get your passport stamped) for a bit of shopping in Ciudad del Esté.

Accommodation

Meals

Day 21 to 21 - En route

We hit the road making our way north in the interior of the continent towards Bonito. It is a long drive and we will stop for one night en route to break up the journey.

Approximate Driving Time: Full Day Drive

Accommodation

1 night(s) camping

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 22 to 23 - Bonito

Bonito is located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and is renowned for the unbelievable blue of its rivers and cave lakes. The waters are filtered through the enormous quantity of limestone in the ground and the impurities are deposited at the bottom of the river bed making the rivers appear some of the clearest in the world.

We have time here to take in some great optional activities which include cave and river snorkelling, rainforest walks and wildlife spotting.

Accommodation

2 night(s) camping at Bonito Hostel or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(es), 2 Dinner(s)

Day 24 to 24 - En route

We continue our trip making our way towards the Costa Verde. During the drive you will get some idea of the size of Brazil as it will take two days driving before we hit the coast. We will camp en route to break up the journey with travel times determining the locations.

Approximate Driving Time: Full Day Drive

Accommodation

1 night(s) camping

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)

Day 25 to 26 - Parati

Getting to the Costa Verde we arrive at Parati which is a preserved Portuguese colonial town (1500-1822). The town is renowned for its historic town centre, the coast and mountains in the region. Parati was also a major port for the exportation of gold and coffee during the 17th and 19th centuries respectively and recommended excursions include a sailing schooner cruise around the bays, rainforest treks and walking the gold trail.

Approximate Driving Time: Four to eight hours depending on the day before

Optional Excursions

Parati boat cruise – US$40

Accommodation

2 night(s) camping at Camping Portal Paraty or similar

Meals

2 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(es), 2 Dinner(s)

Day 27 to 27 - Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, or more commonly known as Rio, is the second largest city in Brazil and arguably one of the most beautiful cities of the world. In the late 17th century the Portuguese found gold and diamonds in the nearby state of Minas Gerais and thus Rio became the main port for exporting the new found wealth. During the colonial Portuguese period of 1763-1815, Rio was the capital of Brazil.

The city has so much to offer from its natural sites to its famous landmarks including Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) and Corcovado with its famous ‘Cristo Redentor’ (Christ the Redeemer statue) - both of which offer great views over the city. You of course have to visit the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. And of course, if you are in Rio around February/March time, get ready for the world's biggest party, the Rio Carnival!

Please note that the four nights during Rio Carnival are not included in the tour price and it is essential to pre-book accommodation if you wish to stay on for the Carnival. Please see our brochure or the ‘Useful Information’ section of our website for important booking info and prices.

Other

What's Not Included

International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes

Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.

Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.